The GO-FOR-GOLD Model: Did Sierra Leone Just Bypass the Entire CBI Industry?

While the Caribbean fights OECD pressure and Europe tightens citizenship rules, one of the world’s most overlooked jurisdictions has quietly designed something the market has never seen before.

IMI Daily featured a great segment on Sierra Leone’s GO-FOR-GOLD initiative.

A Different Approach to Citizenship

Stephen Barnes, the program architect behind Sierra Leone’s GO-FOR-GOLD initiative, has committed to naturalising 4,000 families over the next 5 years using an instrument that’s been hiding in plain sight: Presidential prerogative under Section 27A of the Citizenship Act.

This non-CRS, Commonwealth jurisdiction with British colonial institutions is proving what many thought impossible: that you can attract Foreign Direct Investment without triggering the compliance landmines that have plagued traditional CBI programs.

Why Sierra Leone’s Model Is Different

The GO-FOR-GOLD program didn’t emerge from typical citizenship-by-investment legislation. Instead, it leverages existing constitutional powers combined with innovative safeguards:

✓ Gold-Backed Security: Physical gold held in Central Bank reserves backs the Permanent Residency pathway, providing tangible asset protection rarely seen in citizenship programs.

✓ Presidential Authority: Section 27A of the Citizenship Act grants discretionary naturalisation powers, bypassing the legislative vulnerabilities that expose traditional CBI programs to political pressure.

✓ Phased Approach: The program deliberately launched with PR before unveiling Fast-Track Citizenship, allowing infrastructure development and credibility building.

✓ Legislative Immunity: Without dedicated CBI legislation, the program avoids the compliance frameworks that make Caribbean programs vulnerable to international pressure.

The Strategic Advantage

Sierra Leone offers something rare in today’s citizenship landscape:

• 90-day Fast-Track Citizenship processing via Special Naturalisation
• 40-day Permanent Residency approval with gold backing
• ECOWAS membership provides rights across 12 West African states
• Visa-free access to 76+ countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia
• Three-generation coverage with business partner inclusion
• English common law system with 20 years of post-conflict stability
• No CRS reporting as a non-participating jurisdiction

Beyond Traditional CBI

What makes GO-FOR-GOLD fundamentally different is its partnership model. This isn’t a transactional citizenship program – it’s designed around genuine economic development and long-term integration.

The program includes:

• Company incorporation in Sierra Leone
• Corporate bank account setup
• Direct government access through official delegations
• AI-powered digital platform eliminating traditional paperwork bottlenecks
• Escrow protection with 100% refund guarantees (minus incurred fees)

The Africa Question

Have investors dismissed Africa? Stephen Barnes says so—and the GO-FOR-GOLD program is designed to change that perception.

With over 30 Official Partners already onboarded and multiple families securing Fast-Track Citizenship, Sierra Leone is demonstrating that transparent governance, constitutional stability, and innovative program design can position an African jurisdiction as a serious alternative to saturated Caribbean and European options.

What This Means for the Industry

As OECD pressure mounts on traditional CBI jurisdictions and compliance costs escalate, Sierra Leone’s model offers a glimpse of what next-generation citizenship programs might look like:

→ Constitutional authority instead of vulnerable legislation
→ Tangible asset backing instead of pure contribution models
→ Technology-driven processing instead of paper-based bureaucracy
→ Partnership integration instead of transactional relationships

For detailed program information and eligibility requirements, consult with Official Partners or visit the program website.

— With appreciation from the GO-FOR-GOLD Club Team

Insights and perspectives from leaders shaping Sierra Leone’s investment future.